Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Corporate Social Responsibility in an Islamic Environment: Analysis of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr Advertisements for STC, Zain, and Mobily Telecom Company from the Lens of Legitimacy Theory(Virginia Commonwealth University, 2024) Albarakati, Entesar; Song, BaobaoCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN AN ISLAMIC ENVIRONMENT: ANALYSIS OF RAMADAN AND EID AL-FITR ADVERTISEMENTS FOR STC, ZAIN, AND MOBILY TELECOM COMPANY FROM THE LENS OF LEGITIMACY THEORY By Entesar Albarakati, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2024 Major Director: Baobao Song, Assistant Professor, Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained popularity in recent decades as the number of corporations that engage in CSR continues to grow. In the last 20 years the breadth of CSR has expanded substantially, not only in terms of the variety, scope, and influence of business policies, but also in terms of scholarly research. Despite the expansion of the field of CSR, Islamic corporate social responsibility (ICSR) still receives less attention in academic research than traditional CSR, perhaps because of the lack of defining boundaries and basic principles of ICSR. In Islamic countries such as the Middle East, there exist notable variations in cultural, economic, political, and religious traditions. Hence, the applicability of the existing body of research on CSR in other regions cannot be readily extrapolated to the Middle East (ME). This research aims to investigate CSR messages in an Islamic environment by assessing the content of advertisements for three telecom communication companies operating in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. The study used a quantitative content analysis technique guided by legitimacy theory to answer the research questions. A total of 51 advertisements issued from 2008 to 2023 were examined. The results revealed that the bulk of CSR advertisements were concentrated between 2016 and 2023; they also showed the importance of advertising during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, as the rate of ad views reached millions, confirming the importance of these two religious occasions. The study dealt with three primary axes that were included in CSR ads—first, legitimacy. The results demonstrated that moral legitimacy (23%) was the most common type of legitimacy included in CSR ads, followed by pragmatic legitimacy (13%), followed by practical legitimacy (5.9%). Second, religious customs and values were included in 58.8% of advertisements. Third, SDSGs—29.4% of ads included SDGs. This study and previous studies confirm that CSR in Islam still receives less attention in academic research compared to traditional corporate social responsibility. Therefore, this study recommends establishing specific limits and basic principles for corporate social responsibility in Islam. This is done by defining established standards and guidelines for measuring and evaluating CSR practices in Islam. The study recommends diversifying the method, industries, religious customs and values, and geographical and economic regions in Islamic countries,12 0Item Restricted IPO Regulation in Saudi Arabia: A Look into IPO Listing Requirements and their Future Suitability(University of Edinburgh, 2024) Mushaikh, Yousuf; Hood, ParkerThis thesis discusses the KSA capital market in light of the recent rise of private companies pursuing initial public offerings. The thesis discusses the history of KSA's capital market and its continuous growth in light of Vision 2030 and its realization programs. The thesis provides an overview of the listing requirements for IPOs in both Tadawul's main market and NOMU and assesses them in a comparative manner with UK's IPO listing rules. The aim of this thesis is to analyse IPO listing requirements in KSA and their role in enabling private companies going public. The thesis looks into the potential difficulties private companies may face in going public and analyses them while also looking into the potential of introducing SPACs in KSA to further grow the capital market, in line with Vision 2030's goals.19 0Item Restricted THE WAQFS OF THE FURQAN ASSOCIATION IN TAIF FOR MEMORIZING THE QURAN AND ITS ROLE IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT(UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MALAYS, 2022-09-30) Almalki, Abdulrahman Saee; Yaacob, AhmadSustainable development encompasses all dimensions of human progress and aims to improve living conditions without increasing the use of natural resources. The most significant challenge of sustainable development is the eradication of poverty, as poverty may lead to various societal issues, including blasphemy. It is known that poverty is prevalent among Muslims and is more common in Muslim-majority countries compared to others. Therefore, the main question is: what is the role of Islamic waqf institutions in addressing this issue, and does the Furqan Association have a role in solving it. The researcher employed a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews and library research to collect and analyze the data. The official data published by the association on its website, including administrative, financial, and organizational information, was used, in addition to conducting interviews. Interviews were conducted with six of the association's employees, and the data was analyzed using MAXQDA software to determine the state of waqf, the challenges to its development and growth, as well as its impact on sustainable development. The study reached several findings, the most important of which is that Islamic waqf has a clear impact on achieving sustainable development in general, and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular. This finding also applies to the Furqan Association for Qur'an Memorization in Taif. Another result is that increasing waqf assets in both quantity and quality will lead to greater contributions to sustainable development and improved quality of education. Among the key recommendations is to increase support for the association's waqf projects, given their significant role in promoting sustainable development. It is also recommended that sustainable development be prioritized as one of the association's primary goals, in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for sustainable development Keywords: Sustainable Development, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Islamic Waqf, Furqan Association for Qur'an10 0Item Restricted Health and Safety in the Construction Industry at the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(University of Greenwich, 2017-09-01) Wafa, Hatem; Smis, DeborahHazards in the construction industry have expensive direct and indirect project costs due to accidents. As such, demand to find solutions to these problems have escalated in the past three decades. Project cost, quality, safety, and duration are core elements that contribute to project success however firms still cut their allocated safety budgets. Results show these firms have more injuries and go over budget demonstrating they have a strong relationship between safety and performance. This research reviewed the safety legislation in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as well as the accident rates in these two countries, reviewed the literature on safety practises in the construction industry in the KSA and, investigated safety practises in a large railway project in the KSA. The results from the literature review showed that despite similarities in construction safety legislation in the UK and the KSA, the KSA has a significantly higher rate of accidents. Also, finding from the literature review as well as the results from the survey on safety practises in the large railway project in the KSA showed that safety legislation was not completely followed in the KSA. To improve safety practises in the KSA, this research has developed a set of recommendation based on literature review and the study of safety practises in the large railway project in the KSA to help improve safety practises in the construction industry in the KSA.25 0Item Restricted Determinants of Giftedness within the Family as Indicators of Creative Thinking and Creative Personality among Gifted Students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(Arabian Gulf University, 2024-02-25) ALjohani, Hind; Ayoub, Alaa Eldin; Alabbasi, AhmedThe aim of the research is to identify the significance of the differences in the creative product, the creative process, trends and values towards creativity and the creative personality among gifted students due to family factors and extracurricular activities, and to determine the predictive ability of family factors and extracurricular activities in the creative product, the creative process, trends and values towards creativity and the creative personality. The descriptive approach was used, and the research sample consisted of (190) gifted secondary school students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who were selected using the available sample method from several different schools and regions, namely the Medina region, the Qassim region, the Riyadh region, and the Eastern region. The sample distribution according to the family size variable was (41.6%) of small size, (39.5%) medium size, and (18.9%) large size, and the distribution of the study sample according to the birth order variable was the highest percentage in the middle order with (56.8%) ), then in last place with a rate of (24.7%). The distribution of the sample according to the variable of the father’s educational level was concentrated at the university level at a rate of (63.2%), and according to the variable of the mother’s educational level it was concentrated at the university level at a rate of (70.0%). The majority of the sample resided with their parents (87.4%). The research used the Divergent Thinking Scale, the Creative Activities and Achievements Scale, and the How to Describe Yourself Scale. The results showed that the family size variable was able to predict the level of creative product among students. The birth order variable was able to statistically significantly predict the level of creative product, the level of fluency, the level of flexibility, and the level of creative personality. The variable of the father's educational level was able to predict statistically significantly the level of the creative process, and the variable of the mother's educational level was able to predict statistically significantly the level of the creative personality. It was also shown that extracurricular activities during study and summer extracurricular activities were able to predict statistically significantly the level of creative product, and that the variable of extracurricular activities during study was able to predict statistically significantly the level of creative personality among gifted students, and that the variable summer extracurricular activities was able to predict the level of fluency and the level of flexibility. . Based on the results, the research recommended increasing interest in building training programs in the areas of creative thinking and creative personality for gifted students in Saudi schools, and increasing interest in school extracurricular activities and summer extracurricular activities provided to gifted students.50 0Item Restricted Social Trust in Property Ownership: A Study in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(University of Southampton, 2024-06-21) Altamimi, Manar; Wills, Gary; Al Hashimy, NawfalOwnership refers to the legal rights, obligations, and interests, all of which are formally recognised by a legal system. The regulation of property ownership dictates access to and control over land and other resources. In modern society, property ownership relies heavily on technology for identifying, record-keeping, and verifying property ownership to ensure compliance with the legal system. However, this reliance on technology introduces challenges such as fraud, incorrect information, and potential challenges like double sales as technology continues to advance. Further challenges can be encountered when it is regulated by several governmental entities to secure ownership. This research focuses specifically on the legal system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, acknowledging the global nature of challenges but tailoring the investigation to the unique context of this region. To address the challenges inherent in the land registration system, the research proposes a STF. Unlike existing approaches that primarily lean on technology, this framework delves into the underlying factors contributing to challenges and identifies key considerations for establishing a safe process for transferring ownership. The framework encompasses four categories of social needs for trusting systems: organisation, provenance, technical, and legal. Each category comprises a set of factors that should be considered during the development of the system. Importantly, this framework is designed in alignment with the interests of stakeholders who regularly engage with the systems and is validated by experts in governmental entities. The validation process is based on qualitative data and analyse using thematic analysis. The STF supports the analysis of user requirement specifications to identify the necessary requirements. The user needs are analysed to identify the requirements needed using the scenario-based approach of transferring ownership, with the knowledge that this scenario avoids the challenges outlined. The identified requirements serve as essential inputs for constructing models using the Event-B formal methods, a mathematical approach that ensures the correctness and consistency of the requirements. The formal model is built using a correctness-by-construction methodology, that allows the deduction of assurances for the trustworthy process of transferring ownership. The model undergoes evaluation by formal method specialists to guarantee the construction of an accurate model through the utilisation of discount expert review. Applying the formal method significantly affects system development. It aids in articulating implicit assumptions and clarifying system requirements. They highlight challenges with system requirements, and their rigour helps to understand the challenge better. Additionally, the formal method reduces implementation time and error by a large amount.18 0Item Restricted TEACHERS’ APPROACHES TO DEVELOPING TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN MIDDLE AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA(University of The Incarnate Word, 2024-05-23) Alkathiri, Mona; Hernández, Arthur E.Research Focus. The purpose of the current study was to examine the opinions of KSA teachers regarding the appropriate instructional, extra-curricular, and understanding activities that pertain to the development of leadership, social skills, and personal traits of KSA secondary school students. Research Methods. This study employed a qualitative, case study research design as an exploratory method of analyzing how transformational leadership principles could be the central organizing principle reorganizing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) public school system by 2030. A purposive sample of 18 active secondary school participants were recruited from a population of teachers in middle and secondary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected by telephone survey and organized, coded, and analyzed using Bass transformational theory (Bass (1998) and Poutiatine’s (2009) nine principles of transformational leadership guidelines. Research Results/Findings. Findings were two-thirds of leadership qualities in the form of personal traits are taught at home by parents, siblings, friends, and self-teaching; and only one-third of leadership qualities in the form of social skills can be taught in instructional courses in middle and secondary school education assuming current school curriculum guidelines that may be changing. Conclusions from Research. These findings potentially imply that if leadership is to be taken seriously as a singular organizing principle of KSA early childhood education, significant structural changes in early education curricula will likely also have to change potentially along with a realignment of qualified teaching staff. For example, it may be possible to include more personal trait leadership training within the context of instruction training curricula for social skills just as it may be possible to add personal leadership training with the context of other non-leadership classes without having to change curricula, just by slightly modifying course content with the awareness that leadership personal trait leadership training is important to include wherever it can be easily added. What this study has revealed is a school system in transition, not quite transformed yet, but mindful of what may be coming soon and what might need to be changed to more closely fulfill KSA’s national objectives. Clearly, although potentially disruptive, changes can be made to both curricula, staffing, recruitment, internalizing extracurricular activities or forming linkages with external organizations that may provide helpful extracurricular activities, and relationships between parent-teacher interactions to integrate more closely leadership training in both the home and the school. Recommendations suggested including social skills and personal trait leadership training beginning in primary school and concentrating most of the training in primary and middle schools because of the greater receptivity of younger students. Other suggestions were retooling instructional courses to include more personal trait leadership opportunities for student learning. Also suggested were integrating more extracurricular leadership experience personal trait and social skills training of students into more school programs such as radio stations, private corporations, community organizations, and institutions.27 0Item Restricted The effect of sustainability on tourism in Saudi Arabia under vision 2030(Goldsmiths College - University of London, 2023-08-13) Alshayban, Wafa; Figueira , CarlaVision 2030 is a unified Sustainable Vision for the Saudi future, one which reconciles economic development and environmental preservation as a single priority. The impact of sustainability on tourism it’s that what will discuss , the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a developmental vision of 2030 that includes all sectors.47 0Item Restricted Confidentiality in International Commercial Arbitration: A Comparative Study(University of Leicester, 2024-01-19) Deraan, Muteb; Ahmed, MasoudConfidentiality is a key factor in the arbitration process, as it assists the parties to a dispute in maintaining privacy and overcoming the potential damaging effects of the disclosure of critical information. However, there is no provision in international standards for the arbitration mechanism which relates to confidentiality. Therefore, this research focuses on confidentiality in international commercial arbitration, and, in particular, understanding the role of confidentiality in international commercial arbitration within the context of Saudi Arabia. A comparative study was conducted, which analyzed two jurisdictions (France, and England and Wales) in regard to confidentiality, while considering what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) can learn from these two jurisdictions. It was found that there are no provisions in the law of either jurisdiction regarding confidentiality; it is a duty agreed upon by the parties or decided by the arbitral tribunal. A Law Commission report also suggested that confidentiality should not be included within legislation regarding arbitration, as this will make it more complex, and the matter should remain one for parties to decide in their arbitration proceedings. There were a few recommendations to improve the KSA’s current Saudi Arbitration Law 2012 in terms of providing more flexibility and comfort regarding confidentiality, and also in terms of the need to modernise the legal structure, aligning it with international standards in order to achieve the national development plan Vision 2030. Despite new rules, such as CSSA, providing many changes in international arbitration, these new rules do not address aspects of confidentiality.37 0Item Restricted Saudi Arabia and Human Trafficking: Poised between Sharīʿa and International Law(Queen’s University Belfast, 2024-02-21) Alkharji, Abdulatif; McQuigg, RonaghHuman trafficking is considered to be a form of modern-day slavery or at least a practice that leads to the enslavement of people for exploitation and forced labour. This practice continues to exist in both historical and new forms in our contemporary society. As a symbol of the Islamic faith, coupled with its buoyant economy boosted by revenues from oil and gas resources, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has been an attractive destination for many, including migrant workers. This has given rise to the consensual and non-consensual exploitation of people leading to human trafficking which is further exacerbated by the guardianship system (Kafala). This is in addition to anachronistic cultural views contrary to the true principles and practices under Islamic Sharīa, which is the predominant legal system in the country. Against this background, there are important questions to be asked; the research seeks to investigate the problem of human trafficking in the KSA and to what degree the prevailing laws adhere to international law and Islamic Sharīa in order to effectively combat this crime. As part of the research methodology for this study, a critical analytical method and doctrinal legal research are utilised. Since contemporary international law considers that the principle of human trafficking is inextricably linked to the denial of the principle of human dignity, this research examines the relationship between human trafficking, the concept of human dignity, Islamic Sharīa and international human rights law. As the KSA is an Islamic country with a legal system based on Islamic Sharīa, the thesis investigates the framework of Islamic Sharīa in relation to human trafficking. It provides an in-depth analysis of Islamic and international approaches to combating human trafficking and concludes that the principles of Islamic Sharīa mostly do comply with international standards. However, the analysis also concludes that the laws and enforcement practices adopted by the KSA to prevent forced labour and slavery and other activities that lead to human trafficking are virtually ineffective. The analysis determines that these failures stem from the fact that the Kingdom neglects to properly adhere to Islamic Sharīa or international human rights law. In order to effectively eliminate human trafficking, the thesis suggests that the Kingdom re-evaluates its overall legal system and initiate the appropriate measures to comply with the frameworks of both Islamic Sharīa and international human rights law.36 0